I realized this week, as I stayed inside the warm house quilting, that I now have 2 forms of "therapy" for my peace of mind. My horse therapy in the spring/summer and now quilting therapy for fall/winter when it is too cold out to ride. I may get aches & pains in this old body (bad neck, elbows, back, and so on), but I don't care because I'm super happy when I'm doing them! :D

It helps with my OCD and anxiety. When I go a few days without sewing my husband starts to notice a change in me and not a good one. 15 minutes to an hour a day of sewing is better than seeing any therapist or any pill I could take.

My quilting keeps me sane. The arthritis, carpal tunnel, splints, meds etc, etc drive me crazy.

I lost a leg 3 1/2 yrs ago, and have phantom pain, 24 - 7. Almost 2 years ago I feel in the bathroom and shattered my hip, so phantom pain is worse. I have shoulder pain from having a shoulder replacement 2 1/2 yrs. ago, carpal tunnel from typing for years as well as all the crafts I did. And depression because of all this. BUT, when I quilt, I don't think about the pain, it relaxes me. Gives me a reason to get up in the morning. Quite frankly before I got back into quilting, there were many days, I just wanted to end it all. Not anymore. It actually gives me a reason to live. And I thank God all the time that I can do this and so many other things. Oh,and by the way, I'm only 62 so have a lot of good years ahead of me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a difficult group of fourth graders last year. The time spent quilting greatly helped my disposition. I was more motivated to keep all the papers graded and lesson plans up to date, so I could quilt. Boy did I quilt. :D

Good outlook! I too have MS and various other aches and pains, but I keep pushing myself. I can't walk any distance, but I can sew up a storm, and love hand work. My left hand is a bit of a challange, but I just make it work! I made 3 batches of raspberry jelly today, and had to pause between batches, but crocheted a scarf while resting my legs and back. I work daily on my hexigons. Working on 3rd hexy quilt. Keep up the good work. We can do it!!!

I have always called it my mental health therapy....it's also my prayer time. Once I go in my studio, I lose all track of time...it's as if I am in my own world.

I'm sure quilting helps the arthritis in my hands. The more I use them the better they feel. And it relaxes me so I'm happier.

I cannot sit/stand/ for any period of time unless I am in front of my machine. Quilting gives me a sense of accomplishment. I don't feel like I have anything to give to society except my quilts.

Depression can take over really fast when you find out that you have a serious medical problem and start losing all those abilities that you used to take for granted.I'm glad that you found a way to kick your depression right out the door . It still sneaks in once in a while,but we can be the ones in control, not the other way around.